Chapter 158: One's Enlightenment Elevates All!

"Since you, Master, have made your decision, I won't detain you any longer."

Ling Feng sighed lightly as he stepped down from the throne of the sect leader. Striding over to Duanmu Qingshan, he bowed deeply and said, "Master, take care on your journey."

Duanmu Qingshan gently patted Ling Feng's shoulder and said, "Little Feng, I have already imparted to you the sword manual

The Flower-Transposing Jade-Burying Sword

. I hope you will practice diligently."

"I will."

Ling Feng nodded. Already proficient in swordsmanship, he didn't pay much attention to the sword manual and stored it away casually in his storage spirit ring.

As Lin Canglang had anticipated, even Duanmu Qingshan didn't know the true secret of

The Flower-Transposing Jade-Burying Sword

, and Ling Feng only regarded it as an ordinary sword manual.

"

Hmm,

" Duanmu Qingshan nodded slightly, and then turned to Elder Yao, his voice deep. "Senior Brother Yao, there is another matter that I'm not sure whether to mention or not."

"What is it? Please speak, junior brother."

"Elder Yao, I believe you’re also aware that although Ling Feng has become the sect leader of our Wenxian Sect, his talent should not be buried here."

Duanmu Qingshan looked deeply at Ling Feng and said slowly, "With Ling Feng's talent, he should be going to the best academies in the empire to cultivate. If he does so, in the future, he will be able to lead our Wenxian Sect to greater heights to become one of the top sects in Hanwu County, or even one of the top sects within the Tianbai Empire."

"

Haha,

I've long considered this," Elder Yao chuckled as he smoothed out his long beard. "For the vast empire, the Wenxian Sect is merely a small fish pond. With the talent of our sect leader, he shouldn't be confined to such a small pond. Entering one of the empire's four major academies is the path he should take."

Ling Feng rubbed his nose, feeling that Duanmu Qingshan and Elder Yao's words resonated deeply with him.

In truth, even if they hadn't brought it up, Ling Feng wasn't planning to remain within the sect indefinitely, merely observing the sky from the bottom of a well. If he did that, he would ultimately become a frog in a well too.

"The four major academies hold their admissions once a year, and as long as one's age doesn't exceed twenty-four, they can participate in the selection," Elder Yao explained with a faint smile. "As far as I know, there's still a month and a half until the admissions for the four major academies this year. The sect leader's departure in half a month leaves plenty of time."

The two elders exchanged knowing smiles, and Duanmu Qingshan turned to Ling Feng, asking lightly, "Little Feng, what do you think?"

"The path of martial arts demands progress, for stagnation is akin to regression. Thus, since the four major academies are renowned for attracting the world's most talented individuals, I am naturally willing to go." Ling Feng remarked with a faint smile.

Having previously visited the Cangqiong Sect, he understood that places like the Wenxian Sect only offered limited opportunities for advancement.

To continue improving, besides continuing to diligently practice, he needed worthy opponents to measure himself against.

"Very well, then it is settled," Duanmu Qingshan nodded approvingly, fixing a meaningful gaze onto Ling Feng. "Perhaps when we meet in the future, you will have surpassed me, your master, many times over."

"Master jests," Ling Feng replied with a wry smile before turning to Elder Yao and offering a respectful bow. "During my studies at the four major academies, I entrust the affairs of the sect to you, Elder Yao."

"It is my honor and responsibility," Elder Yao responded earnestly. "With the sect leader's cultivation reaching new heights, so too shall the Wenxian Sect ascend to unprecedented glory!"

...

The following day, Duanmu Qingshan departed.

In the vast sea of people, finding his daughter would prove to be no easy task, and with his departure, the uncertainty of Duanmu Qingshan and Ling Feng’s next meeting loomed.

Since assuming the role of sect leader, Ling Feng's daily routine remained largely unchanged, albeit with the addition of a few attendants serving him.

Impressed by Su Hongxiu's culinary skills, Ling Feng had her transferred from Yunxiu Peak to the main peak, where she became both his cook and assistant in alchemy.

Observing Su Hongxiu's talent in medicine, Ling Feng also imparted some medical and alchemical knowledge to her during their leisure time.

Ling Feng dedicated each day to sword practice and cultivation, and time seemed to fly by swiftly.

On one particular day, Ling Feng realized that half a month had elapsed, indicating that it was nearly time to pack his belongings and journey to the imperial capital.

Given that Elder Yao had already announced this matter beforehand, most sect disciples were aware of Ling Feng's impending departure for the imperial capital to partake in the assessments of the four major academies.

Naturally, Ling Feng's decision was a source of pride for everyone in the sect. Admission to any of the four major academies would be an unparalleled honor!

"Sect Leader..."

As he prepared to depart, Su Hongxiu appeared somewhat melancholic. While assisting Ling Feng with his packing, she hesitated, as if grappling with something she wanted to express.

"Is there something troubling you, Hongxiu?" Ling Feng inquired, noting Su Hongxiu's reluctance to speak.

"I... I..." Su Hongxiu twisted the hem of her garment, her head bowed as she struggled to find the words.

"

Hehe,

if you ask me, this little girl doesn't want to see you go," Zifeng leaped onto Su Hongxiu's head and chuckled. "Little girl, am I right?"

"

Hmph!

" Su Hongxiu grabbed Zifeng and tossed it aside, glaring indignantly but offering no rebuttal.

"Alright, Zifeng, stop teasing Hongxiu," Ling Feng rose slowly from his desk, speaking calmly. "Hongxiu, are my belongings packed?"

"Almost," Su Hongxiu gritted her teeth. "Sect Leader, are you really leaving?"

"It was decided nearly half a month ago," Ling Feng smiled faintly, approaching Su Hongxiu. Seeing her eyes slightly reddened, he couldn't help but gently pinch her cheek. "What's wrong with you, little girl?"

"I... I'm just concerned that you might find the food unfamiliar," Su Hongxiu admitted, nervously twisting the helm of her garment and keeping her head lowered.

"Yes, having gotten used to your cooking, I’ve become quite particular about my meals."

Su Hongxiu's expression shifted instantly. "Then I..."

Before she could finish, Ling Feng interrupted with a laugh. "But during my travels with my grandfather as a wandering physician, I managed with irregular meals just fine."

"You!" Su Hongxiu stomped her foot in frustration. "I... I don't even want to talk to you anymore!"

"

Haha,

you're such a silly girl," Ling Feng smiled lightly. "I know you want to come with me to the imperial capital, don't you?"

"Yes, yes," Su Hongxiu nodded eagerly.

Ling Feng shook his head and smiled, "If I were just going on a leisure trip, bringing you along wouldn't be a problem. But since I'm going for cultivation, I naturally can't take you with me. How about this: if next time I come back, you're able to refine a third-tier or higher medicinal pill on your own, I'll take you with me. Deal?"

Su Hongxiu's eyes lit up, and she immediately wiped away her tears with a smile. "As the sect leader, you must keep your word!"

"

Haha,

of course, I'll keep my word!" Ling Feng chuckled softly. "But don't focus solely on alchemy and neglect your cultivation. You're still young, so if you work hard on your cultivation, you might have a chance to enter one of the four major academies."

"Can I really?" Su Hongxiu looked incredulous, never having considered such a distant possibility before.

𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

"As long as you work hard, why wouldn’t you be able to?"

Ling Feng patted her shoulder and retrieved a Divine Essence Pill he had refined at the Cangqiong Sect[1], handing it to Su Hongxiu.

"This is a Divine Essence Pill, a fourth-tier medicinal pill. After you consume it, it will enhance your cultivation aptitude," Ling Feng explained, leaving the pill with Su Hongxiu with a faint smile. "Consider it a token of gratitude for taking care of my daily needs during this short period of time."

1. Ling Feng had refined two Divine Essence Pills in the medicinal herb garden of the Cangqiong Sect using Purple Spirit Crystals. He consumed the larger one and kept the smaller one. ☜